Cardinals place C Molina, OF Robinson on 15-day DL

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Wednesday that Molina is dealing with inflammation in the knee but called the results of an MRI encouraging. The Cardinals placed the All-Star on the 15-day disabled list less than 24 hours after Molina left a 6-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates after the third inning.

"There's something going on in there," Matheny said. "He's going to try and get it taken care of so that he can move and do the things that he needs to do."

Molina, third in the National League with a .330 batting average, has felt soreness in the knee for weeks. The All-Star said late Tuesday he tried to play through the pain but believes taking some time off is a better option.

"I've been playing through that since June," he said. "Like anybody else, I'm a guy who wants to be on the field playing ... but right now I need time."

Tony Cruz will carry the bulk of the catching duties while Molina recuperates.

The Cardinals also placed Shane Robinson on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained shoulder and recalled outfielder Adron Chambers and utility player Brock Peterson from Triple-A Memphis.

The injury comes at a difficult time for the Cardinals, who have lost a season-high six straight to fall 1 1/2 games behind Pittsburgh in the NL Central.